Hopes were high for Clairiere long before she started. After all, when she began racing in 2020, she was one of the most impeccably bred juvenile fillies in North America. By the time her career ended in 2023, Clairiere had compiled an on-track résumé that matched her pedigree. Sired by Curlin and the first runner produced by multiple Grade 1 winner Cavorting, Clairiere is an Eclipse finalist as outstanding older dirt female of 2023. It is a familiar role. Clairiere was an Eclipse finalist as outstanding 3-year-old filly in 2021 and older dirt female in 2022. Sustained excellence was an enduring trait of Clairiere, though she entered her final campaign with little to prove. Grade 2-placed as a juvenile, she had won Grade 1s each of the next two seasons for Stonestreet Farms owner-breeder Barbara Banke, trainer Steve Asmussen, and regular rider Joel Rosario. The question for Clairiere in 2023: Would she continue to excel? :: Full list of 2023 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories Veteran mares can lose interest as they grow older, but that was hardly the case for Clairiere. After finishing third in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Clairiere was given a four-month break before launching her 5-year-old season in the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes on March 11 at Oaklawn Park. A late-runner, Clairiere settled in her standard position at the back of the field. She inched closer while saving ground on the far turn, was briefly blocked into the lane, switched out, and finished willingly behind Secret Oath. Clairiere finished second by 2 3/4 lengths. The comeback prep served its purpose, and Asmussen trained Clairiere toward the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 15 at Oaklawn. She had finished second in the Apple Blossom the year before. For her second shot at the prestigious springtime race, Clairiere faced three rivals. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Clairiere raced third in the strung-out field, and Secret Oath again got first run. It looked like Clairiere might have to settle for second. She faced a four-length deficit at the eighth pole. But another trait of Clairiere is her kick, and she was rolling. She lengthened stride, collared Secret Oath in deep stretch, and drew off by a half-length. Clairiere was back, as good as ever. Two months later at Belmont Park, she won her second Grade 1 of the season, rallying from last to win the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps. It turned out to be her final victory. Clairiere finished second in the Grade 2 Shuvee at Saratoga, was unplaced on a wet track in the Grade 2 Personal Ensign at Saratoga, and finished fourth in the Longines BC Distaff at Santa Anita, beaten less than a length. Clairiere has retired from racing to become a Stonestreet Farms broodmare, having campaigned over four seasons. In 2023, she won two races and $1,150,800 from six starts. Overall she won eight races and $3,266,392 from 22 starts. Her six graded stakes wins include four Grade 1s, and she concludes her racing career as one of top females of her generation. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.